So...off topic, but where is everyone going to be doing their duathlons this year?

The guy who I suspect was #1 or at least up there basically wore a tri suit (short sleeves, come down to knees sort of thing)

Not quite that bad. Have you done this du? It looks like they changed the distances a few years ago.

I would say that your first du was a success in that you did not hate yourself at the end. The pain part was not entirely a joke, but the best du I ever raced was also the easiest, mentally because I felt spectacular that day. I remember rolling through the first mile in 10th or so place and then looking at my watch and thinking it was the easiest mile of my life despite being a 4:57 (slightly downhill). By the two-mile mark I was in 2nd, and then led probably 30 of 36K on the bike. I outransitioned the two guys who snuck past me at the end of the bike and ran free the rest of the way to the line.
My best performance at nationals, my final 5K felt heinous and I ran slower than I had the two previous years.
There is always a balance of effort between the first run, ride and 2nd run. If you enjoyed the 2nd run then you paced very conservative on the bike, which is great for your mind, but not great for your overall time.
Either way, good job. If regular competitive duathlons existed anywhere near me, I would never swim again, but they don't, soooo....

If you enjoyed the 2nd run then you paced very conservative on the bike, which is great for your mind, but not great for your overall time.

thanks, though. :) where do you live btw? just curious. People in the tri groups here (in Oklahoma) say things like "it's 40, that's so cold, I'm staying on my trainer" and that I think is pretty ridiculous

Your strategy was unconventional (puffer jacket? :)